Thursday, October 11, 2007

What am I, Flypaper for Freaks?

Riding public transportation can be enlightening. It can also be maddening, but that's a whole different story...

It was late, and I needed to take the bus back from my internship. I was chowing on a freshly-picked apple as I climbed on board, the only passenger. The driver had either had too much coffee or was a little manic, or maybe both: he was stopping the bus in the middle of the street without pulling over, often cruising half a block past a requested stop. About halfway through the ride, as we were stopped at a light, he spun around in his chair and looked at me.

"Young people sure know how to eat right," he said.

"I guess that's true," I responded. I mean, what do you say to something like that?

"Always eating apples and other good things. It's really healthy."

"Well, it's apple season," I told him. "I just went apple picking this weekend. They're really good when they're fresh."

We had started moving again, but he continued to talk to me over his shoulder, turning around again at lights.

"Yeah, young people eat so healthy. I mean, they know to eat pizza instead of Chinese food. My generation, we'd always choose Chinese food."

Um...

"And when young people eat at Mexican restaurants, they know beans are healthy; they eat the beans."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." What?!?!

At this point, it seemed our conversation was over. He started chatting with two BU students who climbed aboard.

As I was getting off, I wished him a good night and told him to get an apple. His reaction was of clearly not remembering we had even talked.

Makes you feel good to be taking the T, doesn't it?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is that the guy with the fun mustache? Because he's a terrible driver but very entertaining - I often get him late night on the 57.

Pam said...

It was the 57 bus, but he didn't have a mustache. Maybe he shaved... or there's more than one amusing 57 driver...

Chef Mom said...

Hysterical!!!

Liney said...

oh man... maybe driving is alright...

Pam said...

And then last night, the same driver and I discussed baseball (of course), then movies set in Boston, and the church sex scandal, all before this old drunk guy got on and sat right next to me and proceeded to yell at the driver about how the driver was some "Marine hero liar from Southie" and how he, the drunk, used to play for the Dodgers in 1954.

I think I need to start a new blog, just about my bus ride conversations...

Anonymous said...

Your TOR page linked to this blog, and I just had to say this entry totally made up going through 180+ html and wiki pages. I definitely LOL'd. -Cindy from the TOR